from staff
Signaling its commitment to Jacksonville and the greater Northeast Florida market, BB&T will move its regional headquarters to a newly-renovated office tower in the heart of downtown Jacksonville this summer.
The bank, the nation’s ninth-largest financial institution, expects to move into the 200 W. Forsyth building by August.
BB&T is currently refurbishing the property and will feature BB&T signage on three sides as well as a full-service branch for downtown clients. BB&T initially expects to employ 84 people at the location, though that number is likely to increase as the bank expands its presence in the market.
BB&T’s North Florida regional headquarters, with more than 47,000 square feet of office space, represents an investment of nearly $3.8 million. Occupying three floors in the building, BB&T’s headquarters will house a range of internal functions and client services, including retail and commercial banking, loan services, wealth management and payroll. Laureate Capital, a subsidiary of BB&T, also will maintain offices in the building.
The company plans to add a total of 19 new branches in Jacksonville — in addition to its existing six branch offices — over the next five years. The new branch offices will create approximately 120 new jobs and inject $40 million into the local economy. The bank opened the first of these new branches in December and expects to open at least five more this year. The bank’s current regional headquarters are in the Deerwood area.
“Jacksonville is undergoing a true renaissance, and BB&T is excited to help fuel and be part of that growth,” said Scott P. Keith, BB&T’s city president in Jacksonville. “This signals both our commitment to the Jacksonville community and our desire to provide retail and commercial clients in Jacksonville with the financial tools and expertise they need to achieve success.”
Keith said the bank expects to continue its investment in Jacksonville by expanding its branch network and serving as a financing partner for downtown development projects. “With our size, financial strength and community banking model, BB&T is perfectly positioned to help lead local economic development efforts and strengthen the economic base of Jacksonville over the next decade,” said Keith.
James Daly, BB&T’s regional president for North Florida, agreed. “Northeast Florida, especially the greater Jacksonville area, is one of BB&T’s most important strategic markets,” he said. “And BB&T is ready, willing and able to invest the resources needed to satisfy the community’s growing need for first-class financial services and an active investment partner for development.”